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Five days all with different "patients." Do you have a favorite? Or one you can't stand? I haven't quite decided yet myself...
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(208 of 253)
Mar 16, 2008 5:45 PM
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>>>So is Jake really doing the work for good, or just long enough to win Amy back??
A couple of weeks ago, I thought Jake was very close to getting violent or doing something equally stupid. His quick turnabout was surprising, so it's probably just a new tactic. Since it's obviously having the opposite effect than intended (and given Amy's admitted infidelity in the meantime), I shudder to think what these guys are up to now.
"He's not brain-dead, he's just a terrible fuck. It's your fault."
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Mar 16, 2008 4:19 PM
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My favorite, perhaps because of her superior acting, is Sophie. The actress is the most believable, real one in the bunch. She is the true teen, perfect affect.
The weakest is Blair Underwood. He is hurt by being so recognizable; it is hard to suspend disbelief with him. And as good as she is, Dianne Wiest suffers from same problem.
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Mar 16, 2008 1:22 PM
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So is Jake really doing the work for good, or just long enough to win Amy back?? -JJShag
I hope so. I, like other mental health workers want to see the best in all people. Hate the bx not the person. I dont hate Amy or Laura completely because something has lead them to treatment meaning that deep down, they want change to happen, just unable to reach that point just yet.
With Jake and this being drama, I assume this change may be longlasting. Im thinking the show's approach is 'ok folks we've solved Jakes issues the couple is saved but ohoh, surprise, Amy's got issues up her sleeves'. In real life I wouldve been so triggered by my experience working in domestic violence "honeymoon stage" that I probably wouldve referred Jake to partner abuse treatment long ago before continuing with them as a couple.
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Mar 14, 2008 1:10 PM
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> It dawned on both of us
> that there was a strong correlation between the
> owner/pet and parent/child relationships when they
> come to see us. The owners and parents can be equally
> oblvious how much they shape their pet/children. And
> the pets/kids are more cunning because they know how
> much they can shape their owners/parents! 
LOL!!! My dogs are STILL in the process of training me!!
The female will do silly things when she wants attention because she KNOWS that I will laugh.
Because she loves to hear me laugh, and she loves attention, she does goofy things that are really out-of-character for her, but they get my attention - and the cycle continues...
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Mar 14, 2008 4:29 AM
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> > So is Jake really doing the work for good, or
> just
> > long enough to win Amy back??
>
> Not to make light of your observations, JJShaq, which
> I appreciate, but when I read the last sentence, it
> reminded me of my wild, almost always out-of-control
> huge dog Killer.
> He has learned to sit perfectly still and be a
> GOOD boy the whole time the doggy cookie is dangling
> in front of him, however long.
> AFTER he gets the cookie, it's a different story -
> right back to Mr. Wild-Child...LOL
1974: Forgot to respond to this; yeah it's true of dogs, kids, and I guess...men!! LOL probably women too. I am a child/adolescent therapist and there is a veterniarian who lives in my building and we chat about our work sometimes. It dawned on both of us that there was a strong correlation between the owner/pet and parent/child relationships when they come to see us. The owners and parents can be equally oblvious how much they shape their pet/children. And the pets/kids are more cunning because they know how much they can shape their owners/parents!
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Mar 14, 2008 4:16 AM
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KeeKee; I liked your take on it; agree with virtually all of it.
RoDann don't give up:
-I run out of things too; just listen for awhile.
-Nobody gets Alex completely yet. But will be fun to find out what happens.
-Alot of folks on here don't like Laura.
-Paul is definitely irritating.
-I don't think you have to know a therapist or understand all the posts to have an opinion. I've found some of yours helpful. I'm sure you know someone who goes to(or went to) therapy; alot of folks are just understandably private about that, especially in certain subcultures.
The only thing I'm surprised about is that you don't identify with any of the characters on the show. Many of them seem to have some universal human issues like loneliness, feeling misunderstood, wanting to be special to someone, guilt, jealousy, etc.
The one thing that does bug me about the show is how relentlessly serious it is; they do show funny exchanges but the humor is more subtle. I work with kids almost exclusively so I'm lucky that things are alot lighter in my office, I guess. At least they show the therapist making mistakes; the kids laugh at me all the time for mine, instead of Pauls patients who nail him to the wall for his!
Anyway glad you'll at least visit us once a week, and thx for your posts;
JJ
> I think I am running out of things to say.
> I don't understand Alex.
> I don't like Laura.
> I find Paul more and more irritating.
> I don't know a therapist let alone been to one.
> I don't know anyone who goes to one (that they admit
> anyway).
> I don't understand/read the majority of the posts on
> here now.
> I don't identify with anyone; on the show or here
>
> I think I will just post once a week on this thread
> and leave it at that.
>
> BEEN REAL INTERESTING! THANKS ALL!
>
> --
> Edited by RoDann at 03/13/2008 3:01 PM
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Mar 14, 2008 1:52 AM
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I like Sophies sarcasm, quick wit and kid like charm, shes
easy to like and have compassion for and I hope she gets healed and better. She seems to blurt out her thoughts in blunt ways at times that adults rarely do and its very refreshing. She also really likes Paul and therapy.
The married couple Jake & Amy
I have a hard time knowing why they love each other, Amy seems cold and it doesnt seem like she shows any side that is likeable. Even the history of how they got together seems based on betrayal and deciet so its hard to understand why she even shows up to try and fix the problems. She doesnt seem like she likes Jake or loves him. Jake seems nagging, and controlling and insecure, and when hes not doing those behaviors and acting nice he only bores Amy. I dont really know wjhy jake loves her.
Alex is funny, I laugh alot at some of his controlling behaviors and things he says to be the "best" I like how he tries to be cool but really seems like a little boy needing reassurance and direction. I adore Paul, hes endearing.
Laura is HOT, shes sexy and pretty, but shes also vulnerable and sad and alone, I hope Paul doesnt act out on his fantasy because shes never had any man actually really be there for her in the way she really wants, because of all her sexual issues.
Kate seems like shes still in love with Paul but almost desperate for his attention, she reminds me of a female Jake. As if by being angry at Paul (like jake is with Amy)or resentful at least the spouse is listening/giving attention to them. I do find Kate interesting and she does come across as also caring but almost on the verge of a nervous breakdown like Pauls mom.
Paul seems like he is going through his "midlife" crisis and he seems to bounce between psychological egoism, to honoring his oath in healing his patients. He has a lot of school boy charm with intellectual sexiness as well as some delusions he hides from himself about himself. I feel he is a sincere person and very touching and insightful.
Gina seems very angry about the death of her husband, also she seems to carry skeletons in her closet and appears vulnertable at times in treating Paul when its just the two of them, at the same time when they do make a connection together its really rewarding to watch because they are both professionals & they both have huge egos they try to veil under psychological fronts. Its really fun to watch there interplay. I also like it when kates there because its as if Paul & Gina are at times competing to shrink the shrinks wife and then at other times the 3 of them have small breakthrough that is touching and potentially healing to all of them in there own private ways.
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(201 of 253)
Mar 13, 2008 6:00 PM
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I think I am running out of things to say.
I don't understand Alex.
I don't like Laura.
I find Paul more and more irritating.
I don't know a therapist let alone been to one.
I don't know anyone who goes to one (that they admit anyway).
I don't understand/read the majority of the posts on here now.
I don't identify with anyone; on the show or here
I think I will just post once a week on this thread and leave it at that.
BEEN REAL INTERESTING! THANKS ALL!
--
Edited by RoDann at 03/13/2008 3:01 PM
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Mar 13, 2008 2:42 PM
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> Idalis1: I think you and another poster mentioned
> liking the "new Jake"....this reminded me that
> yesterday talking to my hairdresser (my only
> "therapist" for myself at this point LOL) she
> discussed her recent aborted affair that she had on
> her neglectful live-in boyfriend with another guy.
> Although she regrets it, the result was a "brand new
> boyfriend" with a 180 turn; she told me that "this
> was the guy who she always knew was in there
> somewhere". Very similar to Jake's turn. My question
> is, is this a real and sustainable change? Or just a
> "flight into health"? My suspicion is that we all
> have multiple "selves" we can show to our loved ones
> and the world but that we choose at some level to
> show a certain personae as it suits our needs. It
> seems depressing to me that it takes a trauma or
> threat of a loss to bring out the good in us......or
> am I being too cynical from years of seeing patients,
> as well as my own personal failures??
>
> So is Jake really doing the work for good, or just
> long enough to win Amy back??
Not to make light of your observations, JJShaq, which I appreciate, but when I read the last sentence, it reminded me of my wild, almost always out-of-control huge dog Killer.
He has learned to sit perfectly still and be a GOOD boy the whole time the doggy cookie is dangling in front of him, however long.
AFTER he gets the cookie, it's a different story - right back to Mr. Wild-Child...LOL
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(199 of 253)
Mar 13, 2008 10:02 AM
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Idalis1: I think you and another poster mentioned liking the "new Jake"....this reminded me that yesterday talking to my hairdresser (my only "therapist" for myself at this point LOL) she discussed her recent aborted affair that she had on her neglectful live-in boyfriend with another guy. Although she regrets it, the result was a "brand new boyfriend" with a 180 turn; she told me that "this was the guy who she always knew was in there somewhere". Very similar to Jake's turn. My question is, is this a real and sustainable change? Or just a "flight into health"? My suspicion is that we all have multiple "selves" we can show to our loved ones and the world but that we choose at some level to show a certain personae as it suits our needs. It seems depressing to me that it takes a trauma or threat of a loss to bring out the good in us......or am I being too cynical from years of seeing patients, as well as my own personal failures??
So is Jake really doing the work for good, or just long enough to win Amy back??
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Mar 13, 2008 12:36 AM
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> Under normal circumstances, my shallowness would have
> me say that Laura is my favorite character because
> she's hot and I want to do her. However, this show is
> too good to debaucherize with my juvenile horniness.
> So, I will give my true opinion:
>
> It's Laura, because she's hot and I would love to do
> her.
>
> Dammit, I'm sorry. I tried.
-pmungle
LOL, and its the trying that counts.
Ok I want to give my list of most favorite to watch
1. Alex, ever since day one. Im finding Blair more and more attractive with these later eps.
2. Jake/Amy- In the beginning they were the most boring to me and now, this week, I found the ep jus sooo poignant. Jake is becoming so healthy, I almost laughed with him. Paul has done a good job there!
3. Paul/Kate/Gina- The eps became more interesting with Kate in the mix. I like her character because of her strength regardless of the affair decision, she seems to struggle to fit her new strengthened self into their marriage that once defined her role as emotionally dependant on Paul. Kate has transformed over the years to be self sufficient and is trying to fit this new self into their marriage, maybe finding theres no room for it? She's now the one who picks up Paul's pieces it seems about pt upsets.
4. Sophie- I like the interplay between these two
5. Laura- Odd but at the beginning of the show, she was at the top of my list. Im just wary of this turning into a love affair, I dont think its right, and Im starting to become unsympathetic to her plight minus the sex abuse, of course. I want Paul with Kate, and Laura with some cool guy her own age.
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Mar 13, 2008 12:15 AM
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>> Alex, hands down. And if Blair Underwood doesn't win an Emmy, then the Emmy Awards are meaningless.
Absofckinglutley!!
This show better get at least two Emmys is all I gotta say. I hope Blair gets best supporting actor because he is playing the hell out of this role. I love that HBO is willing to go out there and create these beautiful/awful/courageous/monstrous/Human characters. I didnt think I could still care about his character after the stalker stunt he pulled on Paul but I find myself wishing him the best in this ep.
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Guest
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(196 of 253)
Mar 12, 2008 7:38 PM
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>> Alex, hands down. And if Blair Underwood doesn't win an Emmy, then the Emmy Awards are meaningless.
I'd like to add Mia Wasikowska ( Sophie ), to that Emmy nod.
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Mar 12, 2008 6:43 PM
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How about favorite interesting characters, including Paul and Gina?
1. Alex
Talk about his internal struggles! Deep, difficult, complicated, fun to decipher. Blair Underwood's acting is excellent! Too many people are messed up by the well-meaning but controlling and manipulative parents. Fascinating to watch how a grown-up personality is formed by childhood experiences.
2. Amy
Again, an interesting study of how childhood traumas affect the way Amy thinks, feels and acts. Self-destructive, self-degrading qualities disguised behind the outwardly aloofness and snobbiness. She appears cold and in-control but she is anything but. In a vicious cycle of guilt and self-punishment for things that were never her fault. She never feels deserving of Jake's or anyone's love. (Sadly for me, I most identify with Amy).
3. Laura
A victim of parental neglect and sexual abuse who grows up into a sexual predator who's only way of relating to men is through sex. Not that she trusts them or capable to love them: she needs to know she can have them at her will, only to chew them up and spit them out. The story of Lolita is a little cliche here. All girls who are sexually abused, especially by "friends" of family, usually become such as first victims of parental neglect. You can see this woman repeating the same pattern of sexual addiction over and over, until her looks are no longer the source of her power. And then it's even sadder personal crisis of loneliness and despair, and of addictions of different kind.
4. Paul
Perhaps a man with more emotional troubles than any of his patients. But you can't ever be sure of this. And that's the fun of Paul. Excellent acting though if my therapist would squint his eyes at me and look at me sideways, I would not take it as a sign to trust him.
5. Sophie
Again, a victim of parental abandonment and neglect by her father, a weak victimised mother, sexual abuse by the "friendly" coach. Same story as Laura's, different details. Despite all the reasons to feel sorry for her, I still feel she is a spoiled brat. Can't stand her foul mouth with Paul and her own mother.
6. Gina
Excellent acting. Her character appears angry. Something is not quite right in deep waters of Gina's emotions. And you are always left wondering.
7. Jake
Not really a fleshed out character without Jake+Amy dynamic. Mostly pathetic.
8. Kate
Can't stand neither the character nor the acting. As Kate, her phone yelling at her daughter is very telling. With Paul, she acts indignant and always attacks him for something. Considering that Paul is presented as warm, thoughtful and sensitive character, the viewer can't help but ask what in hell did Paul ever see in her? Her crude ways are painful to watch. But perhaps it's not the character at fault but the terrible acting.
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Mar 12, 2008 2:44 PM
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Alex, hands down.
And if Blair Underwood doesn't win an Emmy, then the Emmy Awards are meaningless.
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